So while enthusiastically embracing their entry, which will happen Saturday night along with Kurt Warner, Jerry Jones and Jason Taylor, Davis and Andersen and Easley represented.

“The running game is not just go to minicamp and then training camp in shorts and T-shirts, and think you will be successful,” Davis said. “You need the pads on, lots of hitting and repetitions. It’s like an orchestra.

“I think now they are realizing in the NFL you’ve got to find other ways of getting the running game going.”

Davis pushed for more Broncos in the hall. From the two Denver teams he helped win NFL titles with in 1997 and ’98, only John Elway and Shannon Sharpe also are in.

“Steve Atwater, Jason Elam, Rod Smith, (owner) Pat Bowlen,” he said, reeling off the names. “Those are ones I played with and I certainly think they will all be in.”

Andersen joins Jan Stenerud as the enshrined kickers; Ray Guy is the only pure punter in the Hall. Although Andersen is the NFL’s scoring leader and kicked for 25 seasons, it took him eight years of eligibility before getting in.

Considering the role kickers play, especially in today’s game, he believes that trend will change.

“With my election to the Hall of Fame and the level of skill today, it moves the conversation along,” Andersen said. “I would argue that besides the quarterback position, kickers affect the outcome of games more than anyone.

“There are a lot of guys I feel should be looked at more seriously,” he added, mentioning not only kickers such as Gary Anderson and the still-active Adam Vinatieri, but special teamer Steve Tasker and punter Sean Landetta. “It’s a tight squeeze.

“It feels good to be on the other side, and now it’s my obligation to enhance their chances. I hope it’s not another 21 years where no one gets in.”

Andersen doesn’t expect a special teams player to get in yearly, instead targeting “every three to five years.” Easley, selected by the seniors committee, is in more of a rush to see safeties inducted.

“We set the tone on defense,” the former hard-hitting Seahawks star said. “We’re going to get a lot of these guys in the Hall. Between John Lynch, Atwater, Brian Dawkins, Darren Woodson – any of those four are fine, or all of them.

“I prefer all of them,” he added with a laugh, calling for a “megasafety class.”

Beyond them – Lynch has been a frequent finalist in the voting – Easley recognized another group that soon will be eligible.

Here at MaineToday Media we value our readers and are committed to growing our community by encouraging you to add to the discussion.

To ensure conscientious dialogue we have implemented a strict no-bullying policy. To participate, you must follow our Terms of Use. Click here to flag and report a comment that violates our terms of use.